A one-two punch: Aycock's Forbis, Newell knocking off the competition

On the course, Kelli Forbis is all business. She lives, eats and breathes golf. In fact, she's going to graduate this winter so she can spend the spring on the links trying to win a Division I college scholarship.

Brooke Newell, on the other hand, plays the game with a smile on her face, a tee in her mouth and always has a song in her heart -- and for everyone within earshot.

Together, the Charles B. Aycock seniors continued their domination of the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference on Monday afternoon at Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course. Forbis fired a 1-under 35 as Newell sang her way to a 42 in the ECC regular-season finale.

No one else shot better than a 48 on the front nine.

Forbis bogeyed the first hole, but found her putting stroke after that as she carded birdies on No. 6 and No. 9.

"I was putting well today," said Forbis, who had rounds of 42, 37, 38 and 40 in ECC play coming into the day. "I was kind of nervous because I came here last week and didn't putt well at all because the greens were very fast. And I was hitting it a lot farther today."

While Forbis was hitting her putts, Newell's short game was giving her fits.

"I hit the ball real well today, I just couldn't make any putts at all," Newell said. "I three-putted four greens, that's what killed me today."

Despite that, however, she still had a good time, singing all the way from tee to green.

The song? Our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"It was stuck in my head," Newell laughed. "I always have a good time, I'm out here to have fun. I'm singing all the time and laughing.

"It's a game."

The Golden Falcons, who came into the match with a 61-stroke lead over second-place Eastern Wayne, increased their advantage as Aycock's team score of 77 was well ahead of Southern Wayne (99), Eastern Wayne (101), Hunt (102) and Beddingfield (103).

"It's been so great to coach those two girls," Charles B. Aycock coach Meghan Field said. "Kelli works so hard every day and will sometimes play 18 holes before she comes to one of these matches. Being around those two and working with them has been great."

For the Warriors, Jasmine Reeves shot a 48 and Melissa Ricker had a 53. For the Saints, Jordan Hill fired a 49 and Alyssa Bradshaw carded a 50.

The ECC tournament will be held at Willow Springs at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with the regional back at Goldsboro Municipal the following Tuesday.

"I've really been playing well lately," Forbis said. "I'm looking forward to regionals."